The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-12-24
JINKSEY'S MISTAKE ;

JINkSEY'S MISTAKE (;
And How "Billy" Found a Home
at Cedar Farm.
"Say, Jinksey, wot d. yer think Of that
fur style. reckon she's come inter town
to buy the Liberty statue for somebody's
New Years present, an amt quite sure
how she'll carry it home"
Jinksey turned as his companion, rather
disreputable looking young gentleman in
the boot blackening business, thus called
his attention to q little girl about ten years
of age, who, with the most disconsolate ex-
preston Of face, was coming timidly out
of the Grand Central depot. That she had
never baen in the city before one could
fancy franz the alarm she exhibited at find
ing herself in the hurrying, bustling crowd,
}, where the yells of the cab-drivers drowned
even the rattle of wheels on the pavement,
and made what, to ears unaccustomed to
such noises, must have sounded like the
roar OF a supposed ogre in fairy tale
"Wanter shinel" Jinksey's friend cried,
as he rushed forward in manner well cal
culated to yet further confuse the fright
ened stranger, and pointed to her thick
shoes, which betokened intimate acquain-
tance with country roads. "Give yer boss
shine fur dime, an two tickets to the
Eden Museum thrown in.''
sHold on, Bill! the lady's lookin' fur a
cab, an hasn't got any time to fool with
you," Jinksey shouted, as he pulled his
friend aside, and stepped forward with q
gr0tesque show Of mock politeness as If to
lead her to one Of the many vehicles that
were ranged in line at the edge of the curb.
stone.
The little girl looked around in be-
wildered fear, seeking some one to whom
she could appeal for protection against the
rough-appearing and decidedly officious
boys; but in vain. The policeman had
other work on hand just then and every
person near was so engrossed with business
or pleasure that frightened child was not
likely to attract much attention.
''Shall show yer the way to the Bruins
wick or are yer waiting fur the Mayor to
comet He's jest havin' swell dinner
with particular friend of ourn, an Ireckon
he's forgot what time the cars get here"
and Billy concluded his information by
giving representation to the best of his
knowledge, of an Indian war dance, such
as he had seen at the Wild West show.
From the whirling, shrieking boy to the
hurrying pedestrians the girl gazed in
piteous appeal until the big tears, which
had been standing very near her eyelids
when she emerged from the building be-
gan to run down over the cheeks which the
last wind of the old year was tingng q
blush hue.
The sight of the crystal drops, together
with the imploring glances, brought Master
Billy jackson to a standstill very suddenly,
and he cried in an angry tone as he swung
his business esi ablishment, represented by
a box containing backing and brushes,
dangerously near his friends head:
''Wot's thor use pickin' on little girl
what amt got nobody to take her part, Tim
Jcnksa Why don't you let her alone while
she finds whoever she's lookin' f0rl'
II amt pickin' ON her." Jinksey replied,
emp atically. for his conscience was prick
ing him very sharply because Of the part
he had played in calling forth the tears.
''Say, sis, tell US where you wanter 60, an
we'll tat ,you there, il It's plum over to
Hoboken.s
The child walked on as il anxious to es-
cape from those whom she quite naturally
looked upon as her tormentors, and the
boys followed her contritely, each trying to
yatone by friendly speeches for the distress
Ahe had caused.
''Don't cry, sissy; we WON'T cut up rough
any more, an we wouldn't "a done it at the
start il we'd "a knowed you felt so bad"
Billy pleaded, after they had followed her
as far as Fifth avenue, and she stood on
the corner undecided which way to turn.
'Where is it yer wanter goi''
''Grandfather wrote that he'd come for
me when the cars got In, and can't find
him anywhere. was going home with
him to stay week, and now he's lost
he's
1t was as if giving words % her trouble
had caused it to increase, and she burst
into such food Of tears that the boys
began in turn to look alarmed.
SIR you hadn't poked fun at her frst I'd
never said word" Master jackson cried,
reproachfully, and looking very much as il
ae would like to whip somebody or get
.,whipped, as sort Of safety-valve for the
indignation which had been aroused by his
own behavior.
Jinksey probably realized that the reproof
was well merited, even though he had not
begun the crnel sport, for he made no angry
reply, as would have been the case under
other circumstances, but devoted his entire
attention to soothing the child's grief.
s'See here" he said, as he laid his some
what soiled hand kindly on her shoulder.
s'l'm mighty sorry we made yer feel bad,
:. an we won't even yip aR'in il that'll make
\it square; but il you could tell us where
you ltVes OF Wuoro bucI Uiu uiuu-1 uleaU
yer gran father--lives jest as likely as not
we could help you some"
'Icame from Saybr0ok, and grandfather's
farm is somewhere In place they call
Long 1sland.'
Didn't you have anybody with your
''No; he was going to meet me at the
depot, so mother thought could come
alone" and now the grief was represented
by sobs, rather than tears, SO consoling was
the show OF sympathy made by her COM
panions. What will dot How can l find
himlr
''Jinksey an I'll have to fx that some
way; but don't know jest how yet, Vets
yer namel'
''Daisy Pratt. AM I've got twenty-five
cents that are all my own, tied up in my
handkerchief"
"What" Jinksey screamed In astonish-
ment, ''you cryin' with that much money
In yer pocketl Say! s'posen. we all 20
down TO Dutch Jnkes, and have Q high old
aupper. 'cause its the night before New
Years! That would mako her feel better,
wouldn't II, Biliy3"
'Woter you talkin' about, Tim Jenksl
It's her grandfather she wants, not one o.
tllcm fifteen cent spreads"
swell, II she can't find him hadn't she
better have good square support"
JpAlraOu ssua AT ola xuhiah